Panthers GM wants Cam to stay in the pocket

Feb. 21, 2013
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton looks downfield during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Panthers defeated the Saints 44-38. / Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports

by Robert Klemko, USA TODAY Sports

by Robert Klemko, USA TODAY Sports

INDIANAPOLIS â?? Dave Gettleman, with his Boston accent, promises a taste of New York in Carolina.

The Carolina Panthers general manager, speaking Thursday at the NFL scouting combine, said he wants to see a downhill running game, a vertical offense and play-action passing -- a formula Eli Manning and the Giants used throughout Gettleman's front-office run in New York.

"It's basically going to be similar to what we did in New York and I think that worked out pretty well," Gettleman said.

Will that mean the extinction of the read option with quarterback Cam Newton, who regressed as a runner and a passer in his second NFL season?

"Ten of the 12 teams in the playoffs this year had true pocket passers," Gettleman said. "At the end of the day, the quarterback has to make plays from the pocket. I think the read option is an option. But at the end of the day, your quarterback has got to make plays from the pocket, and if he can't, you're going to struggle."

It remains to be seen how Gettleman's views translate into new coordinator Mike Shula's offense. Shula was promoted from quarterbacks coach when offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski bolted for a job with the Cleveland Browns. First, however, the Panthers have salary-cap issues to settle, and Gettleman said he hasn't decided on the mix of restructuring current contracts and making cuts.

"Obviously, there's going to have to be some work done," he said. "It's no secret, bottom line is everybody knows we're over the cap and we've got to get there. So we're spending time being as thoughtful as we can. Because it's not just about getting to March 12, 2013. It's getting to March 12, 2014 (and) 2015. The biggest responsibility I have is to think long-term."

Gettleman is hopeful the team will be able to retain running backs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, who has been rumored as a potential cap casualty entering the third season of a five-year, $43 million contract.

"Can we keep both of them? Again, decisions have to be made," Gettleman said. "I don't see why not."